Instrumentation Development -> Capillary formed circuits

capillary circuit

Research into direct printed electronic circuits has been fuelled by the quest for low cost pliable electronics [1]. This, in turn, offers the possibility of advancing novel inexpensive microfluidic electrochemical analysis devices. Direct printing has the advantages of high material usage efficiency, obviation of steps such as photolithography, etching, and vacuum deposition, as well as the ability to change designs rapidly at minimal cost. Inkjet printing has been reported to offer the convenient capability of direct printed electronics. We have developed an approach [1] in which V-groove networks that make up the path of circuitry are first scribed on non-porous inexpensive surfaces. Liquid drops of carbon nanotube ink are then placed on the surface adjacent to the V-grooves to enable wicking to produce the electrical circuit. This method essentially bypasses the need for inkjet printing. We investigate the basic efficacy of the conductive networks developed using this approach and demonstrate its use in generating electrically driven liquid flow of particles in a simple open capillary channel.

 

[1] F. Shao, T.W.Ng, J. Fu, W. Shen, W.Y.L. Ling Electrical circuits from capillary flow driven evaporation deposition of carbon nanotube ink in non-porous V-grooves. Journal of Colloid and Interface Science. Accepted 12 July 2001.